opti help!!!!
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Teching In
Joined: Jun 2009
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From: colorado
opti help!!!! does anyone know how to replace the opti on a 96 lt1??? i dropped the fans and took 4 bolts out of the water pump but i cant get it to budge... what am i forgetting?? thanks....
TECH Veteran
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 4,146
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From: Little Rock, AR
You might want to pull the fans off (take them out the bottom), but pulling the radiator is not needed, IMHO. The first time I changed a water pump, I didn't even remove the fans, so it's not so cramped you can't do it. Get the two other bolts out of the pump and remove the pulley from the crank hub.
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Yeah i never took the radiator out of mine to do it. Make sure you get those last two bolts out i made the same mistake with mine too and im glad i saw them before i brought the hammer out
PS make sure when you put the new opti on you line up the mark on the shaft with the dowl on the cam
PS make sure when you put the new opti on you line up the mark on the shaft with the dowl on the cam
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TECH Veteran
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 4,146
Likes: 62
From: Little Rock, AR
There's absolutely no need to remove the radiator. It's an unnecessary step. There's tons of clearance once the cooling fans are out. Been removing water pumps for 10 years now, and never removed the radiator once.
Also, there are six bolts holding the water pump in. One on the driver side doubles as a stud for the AIR pump, so you will need to remove the AIR pump brackets as well.
There are two dowel pins that center the water pump to keep the geometry of the water pump drive correct. Many times the reluctancy for the pump to come off is because these pins are gunked up. A slight whacking with a rubber hammer is all it takes to bust it loose once the water pump bolts have been removed.
When you reinstall the pump, the bolts need to be cleaned thoroughly with a wire wheel and thread sealant applied to the threads.
Also, there are six bolts holding the water pump in. One on the driver side doubles as a stud for the AIR pump, so you will need to remove the AIR pump brackets as well.
There are two dowel pins that center the water pump to keep the geometry of the water pump drive correct. Many times the reluctancy for the pump to come off is because these pins are gunked up. A slight whacking with a rubber hammer is all it takes to bust it loose once the water pump bolts have been removed.
When you reinstall the pump, the bolts need to be cleaned thoroughly with a wire wheel and thread sealant applied to the threads.
I guess this is where we disagree Joe (god forbid) lol!
I do have a caveat for you though. I have an aftermarket underdrive / balancer that requires the use of a BIG 2 jaw or 3 jaw puller to remove.
Theres no way it would be possible to use the puller with the radiator in the car!
I have no choice but to pull it, but I love the extra room it gives you anyway, so I would regardless.
I do have a caveat for you though. I have an aftermarket underdrive / balancer that requires the use of a BIG 2 jaw or 3 jaw puller to remove.
Theres no way it would be possible to use the puller with the radiator in the car!
I have no choice but to pull it, but I love the extra room it gives you anyway, so I would regardless.
I guess this is where we disagree Joe (god forbid) lol!
I do have a caveat for you though. I have an aftermarket underdrive / balancer that requires the use of a BIG 2 jaw or 3 jaw puller to remove.
Theres no way it would be possible to use the puller with the radiator in the car!
I have no choice but to pull it, but I love the extra room it gives you anyway, so I would regardless.
I do have a caveat for you though. I have an aftermarket underdrive / balancer that requires the use of a BIG 2 jaw or 3 jaw puller to remove.
Theres no way it would be possible to use the puller with the radiator in the car!
I have no choice but to pull it, but I love the extra room it gives you anyway, so I would regardless.
If it works, it works!